The announcement of the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or has brought the spotlight back to the players who have enjoyed the longest runs among football’s elite.
While the latest nominations feature a new generation of stars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain the two most nominated players in Ballon d’Or history.
Messi has earned his 17th nomination after being included among the contenders for the 2026 award. The Inter Miami forward is now just one nomination behind Ronaldo, who holds the record with 18.
Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or nomination came in 2005, while his most recent appearance on the shortlist was in 2022. His 18 nominations underline his remarkable consistency at the highest level over almost two decades.
Messi, meanwhile, has been a regular presence on the shortlist throughout his career and has converted those nominations into a record eight Ballon d’Or wins.
